The 9 Best Beaches in Massachusetts

With a nickname like “The Bay State,” there’s no shortage of places to swim in Massachusetts. There are over 200 miles of coastline where the Atlantic Ocean kisses the land, giving residents and visitors alike every opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors.

Whether you’re looking for a place to bring the whole family or just a romantic getaway, there is a beach in Massachusetts for you. We’ve scoured the web to find the best of the best. Let’s see what cut! 

Best Beaches for Finding Sea Glass

Bottles and other glass items are often thrown into the ocean. After years and years of tumbling around in the waves, it becomes something we know and love called sea glass. There are several spots to find beautiful pieces along the shorelines of Massachusetts. 

Nantasket Beach

If you’re looking for sea glass but don’t want to stray too far from the city, consider Nantasket Beach. It’s located about an hour away in a small town called Hull. Surprisingly, this is one of the busiest beaches, so be prepared for some competition on the shore! 

The best time of year to look for sea glass is in the winter or early spring. This keeps some beach-goers away and allows seal glass hunters to collect beautiful pieces. A lot of the shoreline here is sandy. 

It’s in your best interest to look for sea glass chunks in pebble piles, instead of in the sand. Pick up stones to ensure you don’t miss anything that may be hiding under rocks. 

Pavilion Beach

The excitement of discovering a flawlessly weathered piece of sea glass with a striking color is worth the time spent searching. However, it can be challenging to find. Pavilion Beach in Gloucester is an excellent place to get started if you’ve never looked for sea glass before since all you have to do is walk around and pick it up! 

Sea glass loves this beach since it is so littered with stones. White and brown fragments are found most often. Some sea glass hunters might also uncover a rare emerald, blue, or possibly red chunk.

Devereux Beach

Are you in the market for clear or green sea glass? Look no further than Devereux Beach! Located in Marblehead, it’s the perfect place to scour the ocean floor for sea glass because it has an abundance of gritty sand and heaps of boulders. 

There’s a bend in the beach here that people have said stores a lot of washed-up sea glass. The pieces’ distinctively hazy appearance and rounded edges will gradually start to become more noticeable.

Visit this location after a fresh round of rain while the ground is still damp for the best chance to spot sea glass! 

Best Beaches for Swimming

Due to the harsh winters, Massachusetts residents know how to cherish the warm summer months. One of the best ways they do this is by taking a dip at one of the many beaches in and lining the state. 

Puffer’s Pond

Considered a hidden gem and located in Amherst, Puffer’s Pond has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking to cool off on a warm day or cast a reel to catch a fresh bite! Puffer’s Pond, also called Factory Hollow Pond, is a 13-acre impoundment situated along State Street. 

Amherst’s biggest pond, Puffers Pond, is a popular spot for swimming, kayaking, picnicking, bird watching, fishing, and other outdoor activities. The stunning cascade in Puffer’s Pond, nevertheless, is truly special. It originates from Cushman Brook, is supplied with water by the Mill River, and empties into the pond’s crystal-clear waters.

Lake Dennison

Located in Winchendon, Lake Dennison is the perfect beach for those looking for water-side camping! The 121-acre Lake Dennison Recreation Area is a state park in Massachusetts. Since the lake is very small, fishing from land or a boat is great for anglers of all skill levels. 

There is a sizable camping area close to the coasts on the north and east. There are 150 campsites available, as well as a swimming beach. Here, you’ll be able to enjoy the great outdoors to its fullest. Mountain biking, canoeing, fishing, and swimming are just a few of the activities locals and visitors enjoy.

Coast Guard Beach

The Cape Cod National Seashore’s southernmost beach, Coast Guard Beach, has a seemingly unending stretch of shoreline. Throughout the summer, there is a cost of visiting Coast Guard Beach. 

This is a great place to take the whole family, as you’ll find lifeguards there during the summer months. Everywhere you look there are incredible views that will simply take your breath away. The soft sand makes up for the fact that no dogs are allowed. 

There is a limited amount of parking, so be sure to get there early! 

Best Beaches Near Boston

We get it – not everyone wants to travel far just to enjoy a day near the water. Thankfully, there are plenty of great beaches near Boston. We’ve found our favorites and review them below! 

Pleasure Bay

Pleasure Bay is less than two and a half miles from Boston City proper. The water is beautiful and clear. The sand is soft, making it perfect to soak your bare feet into! Because this beach is so close to downtown, it can get crowded on, especially warm days. 

Visitors love the clean changing rooms, restrooms, and restaurants within walking distance. There are also catamarans, kayaks, and jet skis available at times. The most common activities people enjoy here are kitesurfing and windsurfing! 

Revere Beach

Located about 20 minutes northeast of Boston, Revere Beach provides beachgoers a unique experience as it’s America’s oldest public beach! The three-mile-long beach has been open since the late 1800s! 

With its beach as well as rides, movie theaters, and other points of interest, Revere Beach earned the nickname “Coney Island of the East.” Revere Beach’s water is not only safe to swim in but also cleaner than South Beach in Miami and Waikiki Beach in Honolulu.

The water here is tested regularly throughout the summer. 

Constitution Beach Park

One of the finest beaches in the heart of Boston is Constitution Beach, which can be reached in a mere fifteen minutes by car. This is a well-liked location where people cool off with a plunge in the Atlantic while appreciating the lovely vista of Boston Harbor and watching planes land at and take off from Logan Airport. At this beach, don’t anticipate being by yourself.

The sand is more coarse than soft, but it nevertheless serves its role as a foundation for walking barefoot, tanning, relaxing, and building sandcastles. Additionally, it’s free to park and visit this area!

During the summer, there are lifeguards on duty, along with bathrooms, changing stations, snacks, sports courts, and water activities.

Bottom Line

While the summer swimming season lasts from late June to early September, several of the city’s beaches have lifeguards stationed in addition to services like restrooms and showers. The best time to swim and visit beaches in Massachusetts is in July, August, and September. 

This way you can ensure the water is warm enough and the temperatures are enjoyable when you’re on the shore. Always check online to see if there are beach closures, fees, or certain rules for visitors. 

Whether you’re looking for somewhere to birdwatch, kitesurf, or just reach a book with your toes in the sand, we hope this list helps you find the perfect beach for you. As with anywhere you go in nature, be sure to leave no trace and clean up any trash you bring! 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Dan Hanscom/Shutterstock.com